Perfil dos componentes minerais e protéicos no sangue da população indígena Teréna em Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

The present study deals with the determination of a number of the biochemical markers in the blood of the Terena Indians, residents of the villages located in Sidrolandia and Dois Irmãos do Buriti municipalities. The dosages have been carried out for magnesium, calcium, iron, total proteins, albumin, copper, zinc and, additionally, for glucose content. There were 286 voluntary participants, older than 20 years, among which 126 were male and 160 female. In each case an informed consent for the procedure has been issued. The blood samples were drawn after a 12 hour food and drink fast. The individuals with acute and chronic illnesses, those having current medication or food supplements, as well as pregnant women were excluded from the study. Hemolyzed and/or lipedemic blood samples were discarded. Finally, 281 individuals have been examined. Analytical data for calcium, copper, iron, total proteins, albumin, and glucose clearly showed, that the majority of the Indians Terena can be considered as a group without any serious chronic disease, the results matching with the known reference values for general population. As to magnesium content, in 53,7% (n=151) lower levels were observed, among them in 54,4% (n=68) for males and 53,2% (n=83) for females. Normal level were maintained in 46,3% (n=130). Zinc dosage showed low level in 34,5% (n=91) of the participants, of which 33,3% (n=39) were males and 35,4% (n=52) females. In 58,3% (n=154) normal values were maintained. It is stipulated that health habit changes, e.g. the food with excessive content in carbohydrates, fat, salt and conservatives can be responsible for slightly impaired absorption of nutrients indispensable to the normal metabolism of electrolytes and trace elements.